NEW YORK - The ankle injury that landed Chase Utley on the 15-day disabled list shortly after midnight Tuesday has obvious implications beyond meaning extended playing time for 25-year-old Cesar Hernandez.
As has been discussed often as Utley's 2015 struggles have mounted, the 36-year-old second baseman's contract for next year hinges on his logging 500 plate appearances this season. The franchise icon's chances of reaching that number are in doubt now that he is on the shelf for at least 15 days.
Utley, who is hitting a major-league-worst .179, garnered 249 plate appearances before right ankle inflammation forced him to the DL.